New and gently used coats, boots, scarves, gloves and mittens, and new socks and hats, are now being collected by the Rural Outreach Center (ROC). Located at 730 Olean Road in East Aurora, the mission of the ROC is to assist, empower and elevate the impoverished rural population in southern Erie County and surrounding areas.
“Items collected will be donated to families living in poverty throughout the southern rural region of Western New York,” said Pastor Frank Cerny, ROC executive director. “With the cooler months now upon us, this need is immediate. We urge everyone to go through their closets and donate winter clothing items that you no longer use but still have a lot of life left in them.”
Items can be left in bins found at the ROC’s East Aurora location at 730 Olean Road, at the South Wales Community Hall located at 6387 Olean Road, or at the East Aurora Christian Church at 464 Main St.
Additionally, the ROC continues to collect gift cards in any denomination from grocery stores such as Tops and Wegmans that will be used to help provide delicious and nutritious Thanksgiving meals to those less fortunate. Gift cards can be sent or delivered to the Rural Outreach Center, 730 Olean Road, East Aurora, N.Y. 14052.
In January, the ROC will launch its ROC Resolutions campaign to shine a spotlight on rural poverty in Western New York. Several well-known members of the local business and sports communities — including co-chairs Steve and Sarah Tasker — will assist in promoting areas of concern for those living in poverty, such as nutrition, utilities, transportation and clothing.
For more information on the ROC, please call 240-2220, visit www.theroc.co or follow the Rural Outreach Center on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Rural-Outreach-Center-497751720285555 for frequent updates.
